Control for liquid containers



Oct. 25, 1955 R. B. ESSELMAN 2,721,577

CONTROL FOR LIQUID CONTAINERS Filed March 5, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 srtmwll V INVENTOR. PlkAa/dj Z'Cszse/man was E2 Oct. 25, 1955 R. B. ESSELMAN CONTROL FOR LIQUID CONTAINERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed MarCh 5, 1951 IN V EN TOR United States Patent CONTROL FOR LIQUID CONTAINERS Richard B. Esselman, Manhattan Beach, Calif., assignor to Farr Company, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Application March 5, 1951, Serial No. 213336 16 Claims. (Cl. 137-589) This invention relates to a control for a liquid container and it is a general object of the invention to provide a simple, effective, dependable structure including, a valve and an operating mechanism therefor forming a unit readily detachable from the container and having operating parts maintained above the level of liquid in the container.

The mechanism, as provided by the present invention, is applicable to a liquid container and may, for example, be applied to an open topped tank or like vessel. The mechanism of the invention provides a drain valve to control flow through a drain opening provided in the bottom of the tank. In construction the drain valve involves a body applied to the bottom of the carrier, the body being a bowl-like element located below the carrier and depending therefrom. A head is engaged with the body and is supported on an upwardly facing 3 shoulder in the rim portion of the body and is sealed therewith by a washer. Two fluid passages are provided through the head, one being an outlet passage communieating with the bottom of the tank and the other an overflow opening. A suitable means releasably secures the head to the body and the valve proper is a disc-shaped member in the body cooperating with a seat provided on the head and surrounding the outlet opening. A stem carries the valve and is guided by a projection provided on a boss that projects up from the head. A standard projects up from the head and is carried by the boss, the standard being tubular and being in comunication with the overflow opening of the head. An overflow opening is provided in the standard at the point where it is desired to maintain the level in the tank. Operating means for the stem is provided at the upper end of the standard and involves a housing fixed on the standard and also held by a supplemental support that is located on the tank. A shiftable element is provided in the housing and has a normal up position and an actuated down position. A coupling is provided between the shiftable element and the stem. The coupling involves a stop on the stem, a yoke-type link slidable on the steam and attached to the shiftable element, and a spring acting under compression between the stop and the link. In one form of the invention the shiftable element is a crank carried on a shaft operated by a lever exposed so that it can be manually engaged. It is contemplated that the shiftable element may be a core to be operated by a coil which is under control of a switch operated by a suitable timing device. In the latter form of the invention I have shown a switch in the housing operated by a lever preferably provided with a float located in the tank.

It is a general object of this invention to provide a mechanism of the general character referred to characterized by a unitary assembly normally releasably held in operating position and such that it can be easily and quickly detached for purpose of removal when it is desired to etfect replacement, repair, or cleaning.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of the general character referred to in which the operating means or mechanism located above the level of the liquid in the tank is supported primarily by the v ing engaged with the stem of the valve providing for overtravel of the operating means after the valve has been closed.

Further, it is an object of the invention to provide a practical and compact structure including a valve, operating means for the valve, and a float control which ele ments form a simple unitary structure.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of typical preferred forms and applications of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a portion of a tank showing the mechanism of the invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 2-2 on Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view taken as indicated by line 33 on Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken'as indicated by line 44 on Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken as indicated by line 5-5 on Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 6-6 on Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing another form of the invention. Fig. 8 is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 88 on Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is an enlarged plan section taken as indicated by line 99 on Fig. 7, and Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the electrical circuit involved in the mechanism shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9.

Referring first to the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, the mechanism of the present invention is applied to a suitable liquid carrier or vessel such as a tank A, and it is such as to control flow of fluid from the tank through an opening 10 in the bottom 11 thereof. The particular tank illustrated in the drawings is of simple or conventional form and has a side wall 12 projecting up from the edge of the bottom to a point somewhat above the level of liquid L to be normally maintained in the tank.

The mechanism provided by the present invention involves, generally, a drain valve B located at or carried by the bottom of the tank A and serving to control flow or passage of fluid through the opening 10. A standard C is carried by and projects upwardly from the drain valve B and supports an operating means D which is located at the upper end of the standard and at a point above the level of the liquid L.

The drain valve B, as provided by the present invention, involves, generally, a body having a bowl portion 21 and a rim portion 22. The valve B further includes a head 23 carried by the body 20 and releasable means 24 normally securing the head on or in connection with the body. The head of the drain valve is characterized by a drain opening that provides communication between the interior of the tank and the bowl 21 of the head, and by an overflow opening 31 that provides communication between the standard C and the bowl of the body, as hereinafter described. In the particular case illustrated the bowl 21 of the valvebody 20 has a lateral outlet extension 33 from which fluid drained from the tank can be discharged or delivered to a drain line 34, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

In the particular case illustrated the body 20 of the drain valve has a mounting flange 35 at the upper periphery of the rim portion 22 and the flange 35 is secured to the bottom 11 of the tank, as by welding or the like. In the particular arrangement illustrated the flange 35 is applied to the bottom or lower side of the bett tn. l1 and a a esult he e l P rt en at the betly depends below the bottom 11 of the tank. Through this arrangement all of the fluid or liquid carried in the tank an e aine in t e body of th a e fo d eh e ther f em- The head 23 of the valve is preferably a unit, say, for e garnple, a casting, and it is supported in the rim portion 22 9f h b t y 21 n he p ef ar an e ent an pw r l aein shoulde 38 i p i e i h im pern o he od and a s a l e l or w he 3 s P evitied bet een e P riphe pe o the he 3 an the shoulder 38, as shown in the drawings.

The el as ble. mean 24 e n ee e ead n a h! 2 s she n a in lv erew fa e s In h ase illustr ted the e a e t o sc ew en s a diame ically opposite points and each involves a bolt 40 engaged with a iih ea d h s proje i up rd y n b wanlly r m he hea and s hreaded n an pen .2 Pie ide l i he m per ien. .2 of t e e y- The ifn ea ed n s P eieet an te t he 2 occurrin within the rim portion of the body and they project lateral te e er ie the Port on o he m in h h th eh h 2 eeea e be s 40 are rt all d p an th r h d 4 e a h i Upp e s s ha h y are re di aeeess le- The valve proper 45, is a disc-like element located in he ew Pe tien 1 t e ody 2. and t i no y en a ed ith a ea Pr e tin dewn a tlly f m th head. 2. nt s nd n t e u et open g h va e whie m be o a y i able m e ia at wi eti e e with t e sea 4e is ea ned y a t m 48 and it is Prefe r d t he al be adinst b y ecured en t e emn h a e lus a pae n t .9 e t e e en the le ent ert e e t te .8 a wa h -l e Pla e 5 are nie l n he st in at app s si es. of the val here t e a e eta ne y e nu s- The stem 48 projects vertically from the valve to a point above the level of liquid L in the tank and its lower end rertie s s a ppor d y a snide 5 s ewn p i etin r a bas ,2 that. P i p a d f m he head .23 a e drain op nin 3 he s da C i a t b a u rt arne b e boss 5 Pre d en ead 3 to e i eein n niea e w h h e r ew eve i 3 P it d i e ead 23- The standard projects upwardly to a point well above the e e f q tl'L d at he P in ere it is des e to maintain the level of liquid the standard is provided w h an ove o Opening In Pra ti p ura i y ef openings can be provided in the standard at or above this Pein to a e rai a through h st ard ra h r than ve flew t li id frein he tanl h e e en Per n of the tubular standard is tight or fixed in the boss 52 an as a re l th s a da et en terms a sup rt r the. o erat m a D a will. e here n fte de e i eti, but it also forms a drain or overflow duct that prevents headin f h tan Th en t t mean D i h n as inyel n a he sin 60 supported by and fixed on the upper end of the standard Q, a vertically shiftable element 61 and a conneet me 2 between the i b e ele nent 6 a d. the upper end portion of the valve stem 48. In the particular form of the invention under consideration the shiftable element 61 is a crank or, more specifically it is a 6 P e ed en a etank, an 6, a t t ra m is "p e de n a shaft 65 et a ea ne b he hous n 60 a d a p d to be p ted by a leve 6 h eve 66 is shown as a knob-like element on the exterior of the housing so that it is exposed for manual operation.

The means 62 connecting the shiftable element or pin 63 and the stem 48 is shown as involving a yoke-type link 70 pivotally carried on the crank pin 63 and slidably engaged with the stem 48. A stop 71 is provided on the upper end portion of the stem and a compresison spring 72 is carried on the stem between the stop 71 and the link at the point where the link is slidably engaged with he stem. The parts. are arran ed nd proportioned so that when the crank pin 63 is in an up or normal position the link has moved up somewhat beyond a position necessary to lift the stem so the valve 45 is seated and, consequently, the spring 72 is put under compression. A part 78 in the housing serves as a stop to limit the movement of the mechanism just described and stops it in a position somewhat over center so that it remains in the up position where the valve is closed until deliberately operated out of this position. When the crank is operated in a direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow in Fig. 5 it swings over center and can be moved to a down position where it is actuated, allowing the stem to lower and thus open the valve 45 allowing fluid to flow freely from the tank into the bowl of the drain valve.

In the particular case illustrated the housing 60 is in the form of a casting having a boss 79 that holds or ht recei the pper n f the standard C and the hen in s a ownwardly p je t g skirt 80. hat c on: erates with a supplemental support 81. The support 81 is in the nature of a bracket fixed to the upper edge portion of the wall 12 of the tank and carries one or more screw fasteners 82 received by downwardly Opening notches 84 provided in the skirt 80. Through this con.- rn ieh when e. f ni g means 24 is ased and the fasteners 82 loosened the unit formed by the head t e v l e 4. em 4. d h p ating means. D can be freely lifted away from or clear of the tank and the bracket 81, It is to be understood that the supplemental support formed by the bracket 81 can be used or not, as circumstances require, since the standard C is of such construction and formation as to be an adequate support for the means D under most circumstances. It is to be observed that in accordance with the general construe.- tion and arrangement provided by the invention the stand,- ard projects not only above the level of liquid in the tank but actually above the upper edge 85 of the tank, and as a result the operating means D is located well above and clear of liquid in the tank so that it is not affected er een a inat e he e y:

In the form of invention illustrated in Figs. 7 to 10, inclusive the drain valve B may be the same as that hereinabove described and the standard C may be Carried by the al e t Pro e wardly therefrom par llel with th valve stern 48 all as hereinabove set forth.

The operating means D in this form of the invention involves a vertically shiftable element 61". and a means for operating the element 61 The element 61*. is connected with the stem 48 by a connecting means 62 which may be the same as that hereinabove described. The vertically shiftable element 61 in this case is in the form at sens an he ener i m n therefor s i of winding 64 to be energized under control of a switch S. The switch as shown in Fig. 10, is incorporated in a im r; T which nclu a sui ming meter M- Praetiee the timer m y be u a to p h swi h 5 sui able in er a a e ns a ee qu r In the form of invention shown in Figs. 7 to 10, inelhsi et l ha e p ded a v l e 0 r pa s ng u d in o. the tank A, Valve 100 may he any suitable electrically eent e le va an as hown, t h n e i a etuator 101 attached thereto. Actuator 101 is under contre of a s iteh ee ellet y a ev r n in e. ease l us ated the ever a e a float wh ch v rates in the tank so the actuator 101 is controlled by the liquid level in the tank. The switches S and S may be of any suitable form or type. Switch S in the case illustrated has a lever projecting therefrom that is protected by a guard 91 of rubber or the like.

In the case illustrated a pin 61 is carried on or may be considered as a part of the element 61 and carries the yoke-like bracket 70 which is slidably engaged with the valve stem 48. The bracket 70 engages the spring 72 v which in turn engages the stop 71 provided on the upper end of the stem. The various parts of the operating means D just described may be carried in a suitable housing 60 carried on the upper end of the standard C and the housing may be further supported by the bracket 81 through a construction corresponding to that hereinabove described.

It will be apparent that with the mechanism just described the timer causes the switch S to be opened at predetermined intervals so that the element 61 is operated to open the drain opening 30. When the level of liquid in the tank drops below the predetermined level the switch S is closed by action of float 90 causing the valve 100 to open and pass fluid into the tank. It will be apparent that with the mechanism that I have provided various actions can be obtained, as circumstances may require. 4 i

In the particular case illustrated a manually operated switch S" is shown provided in the electric switch circuit so that the element 61' can be operated under manual control whenever circumstancesso require.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of my invention I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope ofthe following claims.

- Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A control for liquids including, a tank having an outlet opening at its bottom, a drain valve having a body adapted to be fixed to the exterior of the tank adjacent the opening and defining a fluid receiving chamber, a head within the opening engaged with the body separating the tank and the chamber and having a passage therethrough between the tank and chamber, coupling means releasably connecting the body and head, a valve member controlling flow through said passage, and a stem connected to and adapted to operate the valve member, a standard fixed to the head and projecting upwardly therefrom to the upper portion of the tank, operating means for the stem carried by the upper end portion of the standard and connected to the stem, a bracket adapted to be fixed to the tank, and fastening means releasably connecting the operating means to the bracket, the head, valve, stem, standard and said operating means forming a unit detachable from the body and bracket when the said coupling and fasteningmeans arereleased.

2. In combination, a fluid receiving tank having a bottom, an outlet opening in the bottom, a drain valve having a body adapted to be fixed to the tank adjacent the said outlet opening and defining a fluid receiving chamber, a head engaged with the body to occur in the outlet opening and separating the interior of the tank and the chamber and having a passage therethrough between the interior of the tank and the chamber, coupling means releasably connecting the body and head, a valve member controlling flow through said passage, and a stem connected to and adapted to operate the valve member, a standard within the tank fixed to the head and projecting upwardly therefrom and terminating at the upper portion of the tank, and operating means for the stem carried by the upper end portion of the standard and connected to the stem, the head, valve, stem, standard and said operating means'forming a unit detachable from the body when the coupling means is released.

3. In combination, a fluid receiving tank having a bottom, an outlet opening in the bottom, a drain valve having a body adapted to be fixed to the tank adjacent the said outlet opening and defining a fluid receiving chamber, a

'head engaged with the body to occur in the outlet opening and separating the tank and the chamber and having a passage therethrough between the interior of the tank and the chamber, coupling means releasably connecting the body and head, a valve member in the chamber controlling flow through said passage, and a stem connected to and adapted to operate the valve member, a standard rigidly connected to the head and projecting upwardly therefrom to the upper portion of the tank, and operating means for the stern carried by the upper end portion of the standard and connected to the stem, the standard being tubular and located in the tank with its lower end in communication with the chamber and having an overflow opening at a predetermined elevation in the tank, the head, valve stem, standard and operating means forming a unit detachable from the body when the coupling means is released.

4. A control for liquids including, a tank having a bottom with an outlet opening, a drain valve having a body adapted to be fixed to the tank in communication with the opening and defining a fluid receiving chamber below the tank, a head engaged with the body separating the tank and the chamber and having a valve member in the chamber controlling flow through said passage, means releasably securing the head rigidly to the body, and a stem connected to the valve member, a rigid standard fixed to the head and projecting upwardly therefrom to the upper portion of the tank, and mechanical operating means for the stem connected thereto and carried by the upper end portion of the standard, the head, valve member, stem, standard and operating means forming a unit separable from the body when the first mentioned means is released.

5. A control for liquids including, a tank having a bottom with an outlet opening, a drain valve having a body adapted to be fixed to the tank adjacent the said opening and defining a fluid receiving chamber and having an upwardly facing shoulder, a head within said opening and engaged with the shoulder of the body and separating the tank and the chamber and having a passage therethrough between the tank and chamber, a valve member in the chamber controlling flow through said passage, screw fasteners operatively engageable from the interior of the tank and releasably retaining the head engaged with the body, and an operating stem connected to the valve member, a standard fixed to the head and projecting upwardly therefrom to occur within the tank and terminat: ing at the upper portion of the tank, and operating means for the stern connected thereto and carried by the upper end portion of the standard, the head, valve member, standard, stem and operating means forming a unit separable from the body when the fasteners are released.

6. A control for liquids including, a tank having a bottom with an outlet opening therein, a drain valve having a body adapted to be fixed to the bottom side of the tank adjacent the said opening therein and defining a fluid receiving chamber, a head engaged with the body separating the interior of the tank and the chamber defined by the body and having a passage therethrough between the tank and chamber, coupling means releasably connecting the head to the body, a valve member in the chamber adapted to control flow through said passage, an operating stem connected to the valve member, and a guide on the head slidably carrying the stem, a standard fixed to the head and projecting upwardly therefrom to occur within the tank and project outward and beyond the upper portion of the tank, and operating means connected to the stem and carried by the upper end portion of the standard, the head, valve member, stem, standard and operating means forming a unit separable from the body when the first mentioned means is released.

7. A control for liquids including, a tank having a bottom and side Walls, an outlet opening in the bottom, a drain valve having a body adapted to be fixed to the bottom of the tank adjacent the opening therein and defining a fluid receiving chamber below the tank, a head within the said opening and engaged with the body separating the tank and the chamber defined by the body and having a passage therethrough between the tank and chamber, a valve member in the chamber adapted to control flow through said passage, means releasably securing the head to the body and operable from within the tank, and an p atifi S gn f h e t h l m er a tan ard Within h t n fix d o h head nd P tes i g P- w' r e r m to @XWBQ erm! e upper PI i Oi the side walls of the tank, and operating means connected to the stem and carried by the upper end portion of the standard. th t n a bein i i and tu u r th ts lower end in communication with the chamber and having an overflow opening at a predetermined elevation in the tank, the head, vaiv e member, stem, standard and operating means forming a unit separable from the body when the first mentioned means is released.

8. A control for liquids including, a tank having a bottom, an outlet opening in the bottom, a drain valve having a body adapted to be fixed to the tank adjacent the opening in the bottom and defining a fluid receiving chamber, a head occurring within said opening and engaged with the body separating the interior of the tank and the chamber and having a' passage therethrough be tween the tank and chamber, a valve member adapted to control fiow through said passage, and an operating stem connected to the valve member to project upwardly therefrom, a standard within the tank and fixed to the head to project upwardly therefrom adjacent to and parallel with the stem and terminating beyond the upper portion of the tank, and operating means connected to the stem and carried by the upper end portion of the standard to occur outside of the tank and includin a vertically shiftable element, coupling means connecting the stem and said element, and operating means for the said element including a manually rotatable shaft with a crank adapted to operate over center and connected to said element.

9. A controi for liquids including, a tank having a bottom, an outlet opening in the bottom, a drain valve having a body adapted to be fixed to the exterior of the tank" adjacent said opening and defining a fluid receiving chamber, a head engaged with the body separating the tank and the chamber defined by the body and having a passage therethrough between the tank and chamber, a valve member adapted to control flow through said passage, and an operating stem connected to the valve member and projecting upwardly therefrom through the passage in'the head, a standard fixed to the head adjacent the passage therein and projecting upwardly therefrom to occur laterally offset from and p arallel with the stem and terminating above the tank,operating means for the valve at the top of the tank connected to the stem and carried by the upper end portion of the standard and including, a vertically shiftable, spring cushioned link connecting the stern, and

operating means for the said link including a rotatable crank on the standard pivotally connected to the link and adapted to be operated over center.

10. A control for liquids including, a tank having a bottom, an outlet opening in the bottom, a drain valve having a body adapted to'be fixed to the exterior of the tank adjacent saidopening and defining a fluid receiving chamber, a head within said opening and engaged with the body separating the tank and the chamber, a valve member in the chamber adapted to control flow through said passage, and an operating stem guided by the head and connected to the valve member, a standard rigid with the head and projecting upwardly therefrom to the upper portion of the tank, and operating means connected to the stern and carried by the upper end portion of the standard and including, 'a vertically shiftable element, a stop on the stem, a link connected to the element and slidably engaged with the stem, and a compression spring carried by the stem between the link and stop, the head, valve member, stem, standard and operating means forming a unit separable from the body when the first mentioned means is released.

11. A control for liquids including, a tank having a bottom, an outlet opening in the bottom, a drain valve having a body adapted to be fixed to the tank adjacent the opening and defining a fluid receiving chamber, a head located in the opening in the tank and engaged with the body separating the tank and the chamber defined by the bodyand having a passage therethrough between the tank and chamber, coupling means releasably con: necting the head to the body, a valve member in the body adapted to control flow through said passage, and an operating stern carried by the head and connected to the valve member, a standard fixed to the head and projecting upwardly therefrom to the upper portion of the tank, and operating means connected to the stem and carried by the upper end portion of the standard and in: cluding a housing mounted on the standard, a vertically shiftable element supported from and within ht housing, and means connecting the stem and said element, the head, valve member, stern, standard and operating means forming a unit separable from the body when the first mentioned means is released.

12 A control for liquids including, a tank having an outlet opening, a drain valve having a body adapted to be fixed to the exterior of the tank adjacent the said opening and defining a fluid receiving chamber, a head within the opening and engaged with the body separating the tank and the chamber defined by the body and having a passage therethrough between the tank and chamber, coupling means releasably connecting the head to the body, a valve member adapted to control flow through said passage, and an operating stem connected to the valve member to project upwardly therefrom and through the passage in the head,'a standard fixed to the head and projecting upwardly therefrom to the upper portion of the tank, and operating means connected to' the stern and carried by the upper end portion of the standard and including, a housing on the standard, a vertically shiftable element supported within the housing, means connecting the stem and said element, and a supplemental. support for the housing including a bracket adapted to be fixed to the tank and engaged by the housing and coupling means releasably connecting the housing to the bracket, the head, valve, stem, standard and said operating means forming a unit detachable from the body when the coupling means are released.

13. A control for liquids including, a tank having an outlet opening at its bottom, a drain valve having a body adapted to be fixed to the tank adjacent the opening and defining a fluid receiving chamber, a head within the opening engaged with the body separating the tank and the chamber and having a passage therethrough between the tank and chamber, coupling means releasably connecting the head to the body, a valve member adapted to control flow through said passage, and an operating stem connected to the valve member, a standard fixed to the head and projecting upwardly therefrom to the upper portion of the tank, and operating means connected to the stem and carried by the upper end portion of the standard and including a housing on the standard, a vertically shiftable element supported within the housing, coupling means connecting the stem and said element, operating means adapted to shift the said element including an operating lever adapted to be manually operated, and a supplemental support for the housing including a bracket carried by the tank and engaged by the housing and a releasable fastener connecting the housing and the bracket, the head, valve, stem, standard and said op-.

crating means forming a unit detachable from the body when the coupling means are released.

14 A control for liquids including, a tank having an outlet opening at its bottom, a drain valve having a body adapted to be fixed to the exterior of the tank adjacent said opening and defining a fluid receiving chamber, a head within the opening engaged with the body separating th tank. n th: chambe dafi w by t e bpdy a in a fl w p ssa th re hr h betwee he tank nd. ch i ber, coupling means releasably connecting the head to the body, a valve member adapted to control flow through said Pass e and a p r t Stem war 9 t e val e member to project upwardly through the flow passage and into the tank a standard fixed to the head laterally ofiset from the passage and projecting upwardly therefrom and parallel with the stem to terminate at the upper portion of the tank, and operating means connected to the stem and carried by the upper end portion of the standard including, a rotatable crank, and a link connecting the crank and stem.

15. A control for liquids including, a tank having an outlet opening at its bottom, a drain valve having a body adapted to be fixed to the exterior of the tank adjacent said opening and defining a fluid receiving chamber, a head within the opening and engaged with the body separating the tank and chamber defined by the body and having a flow passage therethrough between the tank and the chamber, coupling means releasably connecting the head to the body, a valve member adapted to control flow through said passage, and an elongate vertically disposed operating stem in the tank extending through said passage and connected to the valve member, a standard fixed to the head laterally oiiset from the said passage and projecting upwardly therefrom to the upper portion of the tank, and operating means connected to the stem and carried by the upper end portion of the standard including, an elongate horizontally disposed rotatable shaft extending transverse the standard, a crank on one end of the shaft, a manually operable lever at the other end of the shaft, and a link connecting the said crank and the stem.

16. A control for liquids including, a tank having an outlet opening at its bottom, a drain valve having a body adapted to be fixed to the exterior of the tank adjacent said opening and defining a fluid receiving chamber, a head Within the opening and engaged with the body separating the tank and the chamber defined by the body and having a flow passage therethrough between the tank and chamber, coupling means releasably connecting the head to the body, a valve member adapted to control flow through said passage, and an operating stem connected to the valve member, a standard fixed to the head laterally offset from the said passage, valve member and stem and projecting upwardly from the head to the upper portion of the tank, and operating means connected to the stem and carried by the upper end portion of the standard including, a housing on the standard, an elongate horizontally disposed shaft rotatably carried by the housing to project laterally from opposite sides thereof, a crank on one end of the shaft, a lever on the other end of the shaft and operating the shaft, and a link connecting the crank and stem, the crank being operable to a stopped position where it is over center and holds the stem in a predetermined position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 419,566 Scott Jan. 14, 1890 694,180 O'Brien Feb. 25, 1902 820,116 Ike May 8, 1906 2,089,374 Howard Aug. 10, 1937 2,315,031 Wiegand Mar. 30, 1943 2,351,672 Engel June 20, 1944 

